Tag Archives: cupcakes

Gentle Readers, into every life, some giant turkey legs must fall. However, there is no delicate way to consume them. When in doubt, do not eat them on video. Just a word of professional advice.

Turkey leg fingers and no napkins. That was a strategic fail on my part.

I learned this the hard way this past weekend when I did my first ever joint blog review with VeggieMacabre! Great fun was had at the inaugural Winston Salem Food Truck Rodeo, much Fried was consumed, the majority of it by me. Check out his blog post for a full review and extended video.

Try eating this turkey leg and not looking like a caveman. I wish you luck. But do eat it, because it is made of magic and unicorns.

Here’s my short-take, shot Blair Witch style and slightly beheading us both in honor of VM’s other interest, horror films. Or because my arms are too short to have two people on video and I forgot my tabletop tripod, one of the two.

Enough chatter, I am practical after all: 5 TPC tips for surviving and thriving in a food truck rodeo environment!

1. Go early. He who laughed at my “buy everything I could as fast as possible” strategy became incredibly grateful for the 4 cupcakes I had 3 hours later. Especially the pecan pie one with the praline center. Wow. In fact, strangers asked for bites of the other cupcakes, and I obliged. Community first. They were from Cakes in a Cup, and they were truly awe-inspiring.

Hello my pretties. I think I love you. Cupcakes from Cakes in a Cup out of Concord, NC

2. Stagger attendance. Think of Disney people. Provide gated times and tickets, and give the food trucks a fighting chance. Food trucks can’t handle the rush. I’ve never seen this end well. Organizers need to expect and plan for this to offset the crush.

Bacon Cheeseburger. Just because. From the WS Food Truck Rodeo.

3. When in doubt, order turkey livers. Okay, I just made that rule up, but these little crunchy morsels from Hickory Tree Barbecue were divine. I ate them cold when things got dire later in the day. The larger point, don’t be boring. You can eat boring food another time. Live a little.

Deep-Fried Turkey Livers from the WS Food Truck Rodeo. Win!

4. Work as a team. This is not to be taken lightly. Two people held down seats at the bar (Old Winston Social Club, a sponsor and a fantastic place–try it and thank me later), while the third stood in line. My fave description from VeggieMacabre’s blog:

There was a great chance that one could actually learn Korean before reaching the Korean BBQ truck.

Ironically, while eating Korean food with a friend at lunch today, he shared this unbelievably helpful infographic. Use your in-line time wisely and you can order in the native tongue when you arrive at the window. You’re welcome.

5. Always have a Plan B. In the end, parking the trucks amongst many great bars and restaurants is a good idea. It drives a lot of business to everyone, and you can at least get something to eat or drink (as opposed to when this happens in a field in the middle of nowhere–that is a recipe for a riot).

Technically, these were a gift. A dozen assorted Krispy Kremes acquired in the single longest and most hilarious drive-through ordering experience of my life.

1 original glazed, Hot Now, from Krispy Kreme: Okay, not at the rodeo, but it’s unnatural to go to the home of the Double K and not eat one

some carrots: for my health

some banana pudding: because I’m Southern and it was there, duh

In summary: I don’t really like food truck rodeos for eating at food trucks, but for the spectacle and for the company. No regrets in that regard. Thanks to VeggieMacabre and the whole crew for making WS awesome.

I think that’s the VeggieMacabre gang sign, or he’s trying to signal for help because he hates liver.

Have you been to a food truck rodeo? What did/didn’t you like about it? Weigh in (pun intended) in the comments section below!